I have a number of trips planned this year that will take me overseas from the UK into Europe.
My question is that while I may still need the use of my phone, I dont want to incure data charges for emails etc.

Is there any way I can turn off the e-mail / internet aspect of my so that it simply becomes a phone and not a with its associated functions? The last time I went overseas it cost me a fortune in unexpected data charges even though I didn't use the internet

I am on contract with O2-UK and will be visiting France, Spain, Portugal & The Isle Of Man.

Yes its simple to turn the feature off and the addiction of BB will make you try to turn it on... May be you can ask your local carrier to enable the International data plan feature so that at least emails are coming in and that is unlimited but the browsing is not part of it.
When I am abroad I do not browse unless I am in WiFi zone otherwise emails and BBM is all included in the prorated 39.99 feature from TMO -USA

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